Real Salt Lake aims to boost playoff push at Austin FC

Pablo Mastroeni believes his Real Salt Lake side can "put their best foot forward against anyone" as they look to surge into the playoff picture.

RSL are 10th in the Western Conference ahead of a trip to Austin FC, just two points behind the Los Angeles Galaxy, who have played one game more.

Mastroeni's side are in good form heading into the final three games of the regular-season, winning three of their last five games, including their last two.

After a 3-1 victory over Sporting Kansas City, RSL defeated in-form St. Louis City 3-0 at home after a brace from Sergi Solans and strike from Dominik Marczuk.

RSL were handed a further boost in the victory when club captain Justen Glad made his first appearance since May after suffering a groin injury.

Amid their recent form and returnees, Mastroeni is optimistic his side can take on anyone in the league.

"I'll back this group to be able to put their best foot forward against anyone," Mastroeni said, "given the way we're playing and the mentality that the group has."

"I think in all phases, we played fantastic (against St. Louis City). But we have got no time to celebrate.

"We have got to win out. That was a good performance to build upon."

Austin are not yet out of playoff contention, and despite a 2-1 win over Sporting KC, their chances are still slim.

With three games to go, Austin are seven points off the final playoff spot in 14th, with a win in this fixture very necessary.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Austin FC - Myrto Uzuni

Myrto Uzuni scored both goals in Austin's win at Sporting KC on Saturday, the second player to score multiple goals in a match for Austin since the start of last season. Austin's three multi-goal performances since the start of last season are the fewest in MLS in that time.

Real Salt Lake - Sergi Solans

Solans scored twice for Real Salt Lake on Saturday, his third multi-goal game of the season. Only four RSL players have had more than three multi-goal games in a single season: Jeff Cunningham (four) in 2006, Alvaro Saborio (five) in 2012, Cristian Arango (five) in 2024 and Andres Gomez (four) in 2024.

MATCH PREDICTION: DRAW

Austin snapped a five-match winless run (D2 L3) with a 2-1 victory at Sporting KC, but they remain winless in seven straight home matches (D3 L4), the longest streak in club history.

Real Salt Lake is unbeaten in six straight matches against Austin (W4 D2), including winning the last two. Neither team has managed three consecutive wins over the other before.

After winning one of their previous 16 regular-season matches (D5 L10), Real Salt Lake have back-to-back wins, including a 3-0 victory over St. Louis.

RSL have a record of W7 D0 L1 when scoring three or more goals this season, while they have won just four of 23 matches when scoring fewer than three.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Austin FC - 36.5%

Draw - 24.3%

Real Salt Lake - 39.2%